Fifth Annual SBIR/STTR R&D Funding Conference

The 2005 season of SBIR events wraps up on the November 7th and 8th with the Fifth Annual SBIR/STTR R&D Funding Conference hosted by The University of North Carolina's Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). This conference offers an unsurpassed opportunity to expand your knowledge of multi-billion- dollar federal R&D funding sources- including SBIR/STTR programs - for small businesses that are developing innovative technologies.

SBIR/STTR is by far the largest source of early stage funding for small businesses in the United States today. North Carolina firms alone were awarded over $30M in grant funds in 2004, a significant increase over 2003. The great news? This is $30M of HIGH-RISK capital that neither needs to be repaid nor does it dilute the equity in the business. Given North Carolina's new SBIR/STTR incentive and matching program, the stakes are now higher for North Carolina firms. The One Carolina Small Business Program allows new SBIR/STTR awardees to be eligible for up to $100,000 in matching funds, and up to $3,000 of the cost of submitting SBIR or STTR proposals.

The SBIR/STTR programs are the premier funding mechanisms for early stage R&D that will likely lead to commercializable products and services. Since the programs' inception in 1982, the federal government has granted over $16 billion and more than 50,000 awards to small businesses in the United States through the 11 participating Federal agencies.

A common misconception in the world of SBIR is that only "high-tech" firms are winners. The truth is quite the contrary. One recently funded project at NIH was for a PBS documentary while several others had a focus on social skills training for school-age children. Just remember you don't need to be developing the next blockbuster cancer therapy or a new recipe for rocket fuel to be in the game. SBTDC services and the Fifth Annual Conference are open to all small businesses in North Carolina who are interested in pursuing SBIR funding.

The content of this year's SBIR/STTR R&D Funding Conference program will bring value both to those who are new to the programs as well to current and prior SBIR award winners. Highlights of the conference include:

Federal Agency Participation
Program managers from federal agencies including National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and others will tell about their agencies' current areas of interest and explain the differences between them from presentations, roundtable discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions. Additionally, one-on-one sessions offered throughout the day will enable attendees to speak with federal representatives about respective interests.

Advanced and Introductory Tracks
By popular demand, this year's conference will offer concurrent advanced and introductory tracks. Introductory sessions will build a strong foundation for those new to the SBIR/STTR programs and who are seeking Phase I awards. Advanced sessions will offer precious insights and direction for those firms that have a Phase I award and are thinking about Phase II as well as to those that have a Phase II award and are moving toward commercialization and may need additional funding from equity sources. Secrets of selling to the government will be covered as well as how to avoid common accounting and intellectual property pitfalls.

Don't miss the Southeast's premier early stage R&D funding event. Register early as seating is limited!

WHEN:    Monday, November 7, 2005, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
                  Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 7:30am - 1:00pm

WHERE: NC Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Park, NC

COST:     $75 - Pre-registration
                  $125 after 11/4 and at the door

REGISTRATION: http://www.sbtdc.org/events/sbir/conference/